I am delighted to be able to enclose details of this MGC scheme. You
will see that it aims to encourage partnerships between museums to help
in the adoption of ICT, and to encourage development of local networks.

Sorry that the message is so long, but at least you have all the details
at one!

If you want to ask anything - please feel free to email me

David Dawson
Museums New Technology Adviser
MGC
email: [log in to unmask]

MGC ICT Networking and Development Programme

Introduction
This programme is intended to pilot the introduction of New Technology
and to evaluate the role that networking of expertise can play.

Museums will be able to apply for project funding under three main
themes:-
1.	enabling small groups of museums to develop their ICT skills and
expertise through a combination of providing basic hardware, software
and training in its use
2.	developing projects that will produce resources for the National
Grid for Learning
3.	imaginative use of ICT

In each case museums taking part will be required to pass on their
experiences to other museums.

Approximately £30,000 is available for the scheme. The precise
allocation of grants will depend upon the quality and range of
applications, and the scheme might allocate the funds in a variety of
ways. Grants will be available within a range of £1000 to £5000.

Networking ICT Skills
Guidelines
*	Projects should include a minimum of three museums or
museum-related organisations
*	For the majority of museums in the Project, this should be the
first significant use of ICT beyond collections documentation or office
management
*	The majority of resources should be allocated to the museums
that have not been able to invest in ICT for at least 4 years. Funds
will not be available for collections management software
*	Adequate provision for training in the use of ICT must be
included in the scheme
*	Projects should demonstrate how they will encourage or support
other museums in their adoption of ICT

Laying the Foundations for the Grid
Guidelines
*	Projects should include a minimum of three museums or
museum-related organisations
*	Projects should prepare resources for the National Grid for
Learning targeted at a defined area of the curriculum
*	Projects will be expected to contribute towards any NGfL
awareness-raising events organised for museums in their area.


ICT Frontiers
Guidelines
*	Projects should demonstrate how they will make imaginative or
innovative use of ICT.
*	Projects should include a minimum of two museums
*	Applicants should not normally have access to funding from other
sources. Applicants should note that the Carnegie UK Trust has a fund to
promote innovative projects in independent museums.

General Guidelines
	*	All museums involved in the Project should be fully or
provisionally registered with the MGC Government funded national museums
are not eligible to apply.
	*	Successful applicants should prepare a Best Practice Log
as the project proceeds. This should record decisions taken, advice
sought and lessons learnt. 
	*	Successful applicants will be expected to send a copy of
the Best Practice Log to MGC on 1st of each month whilst the project is
running.
	*	Successful applicants must be prepared to offer guidance
to other museums wanting to create similar resources.
	*	Projects will be regarded as complete when a brief
report of the Project, outlining the extent to which its objectives have
been achieved has been accepted by MGC. 
	*	Grants are available in the range £1,000-£5,000.
Although partnership funding is not required, priority will be given to
projects that demonstrate some form of leverage of additional benefits.
	*	Eligible costs include hardware, software, training and
limited paid consultancy. The purchase of more than one computer per
project is unlikely to be supported. It is expected that museums will
carry out the bulk of any work themselves, with the exception of the ICT
Frontiers element of the scheme. In-house salary costs or costs of
substituting an existing member of staff are not eligible.
	*	Successful applicants should indicate any likely
continuing costs involved in the project, and indicate how these costs
will be met after the end of the project.

	How to apply
	Applicants should send details of their project, using the basic
outline provided below, to David Dawson, Museums New Technology Adviser,
MGC, 16 Queen Anne's Gate, London, SW1H 9AA.
	Letters confirming that the museums involved wish to take part
in the project should accompany the application.  The lead museum should
be identified.
	Additional information may be requested if this is not supplied,
or to clarify details and aims of the project.
	All proposals will be acknowledged and decisions will be made by
Monday 9 November 1998. Proposals should be submitted by Wednesday 4
November.

	Payment of grant and conditions
	Grants will be payable to the lead museum on receipt of a
completed claim form accompanied by relevant receipts to at least the
value of the grant.  Claims must be submitted no later than 1 March
1999.
	It is a condition of grant that a monthly report is submitted on
progress with the scheme.
	On completion, and not later than 1 August 1999, a report on the
Project must be submitted to MGC.
	Failure to comply with any grant condition will result in the
repayment of any grant at the discretion of the MGC.
	Any equipment purchased through the scheme must be retained by
the organisations taking part for a minimum period of three years, or
the MGC's grant will be repayable.
	All publications, electronic media and publicity material
relating to the project must acknowledge the support received from the
Museums & Galleries Commission.
	MGC reserves the right to vary these conditions prior to any
formal grant offer

Museums & Galleries Commission
 


MGC ICT Networking and Development Pilot Programme

Deadline for Proposals: 4 November 1998
Please send proposals to:-
David Dawson, Museums New Technology Adviser, MGC, 16 Queen Anne's Gate,
London, SW1H 9AA

Applicant details
Name of Lead Museum:
Address:
Postcode:
MGC Registration Status:

Contact details
Name of contact:
Position:
Address:
Telephone:
Postcode:

Title of Proposal:
Description of Proposal:
Please include details of all museums included, the scope of the
proposal and other information requested in the Project outline

Amount of Grant requested from MGC:



David Dawson
Museums New Technology Adviser
Museums and Galleries Commission
tel: 0171 233 4200
email: [log in to unmask]


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